What is the main advantage of using lidar over radar in speed detection?

The primary advantage of using lidar over radar in speed detection lies in its ability to target specific vehicles. Lidar systems utilize focused light pulses to measure distances, allowing them to create a highly accurate representation of the surrounding environment. This precision enables lidar units to identify and measure the speed of individual vehicles with greater accuracy than radar systems, which operate using radio waves that can be affected by interference and may not distinguish between multiple vehicles in a crowded environment.

By focusing on a specific vehicle, lidar can provide clear and reliable speed measurements, which is crucial for accurate law enforcement and traffic management. This capability to hone in on a particular target makes lidar especially effective in situations where distinguishing among several vehicles is necessary, such as in dense traffic or at intersections.

The other options do not reflect the primary advantages of lidar in speed detection. For instance, while lidar does measure distances accurately and can infer angles, its standout feature related to speed detection is targeting capabilities. Additionally, lidar is not primarily used for measuring weather conditions nor is it inherently designed to track multiple vehicles simultaneously; radar is generally better suited for that function due to its longer range and broader detection capabilities.